Section 1: Views of Obama

Currently, 47% approve of the way Obama is handling his job as president while 45% disapprove. Opinions about Obama’s job performance continue to be deeply divided along partisan lines: 80% of Democrats approve of the way he is handling his job while 16% disapprove. Republicans’ views are the reverse – 16% approve and 81% disapprove. Among independents, 48% disapprove and 42% approve of the job Obama is doing. (For a detailed breakdown of Obama’s overall job rating, see the table at the end of this report.)

In terms of specific issues, Obama receives his highest rating for his handling of the environment (51% approve, 35% disapprove). On five other issues tested – Afghanistan, Libya, energy policy, the economy and budget deficit – Obama’s ratings are mixed or more negative than positive.

Among these issues, Obama gets his lowest ratings on the budget deficit and the economy. Currently, 59% disapprove of his handling of the budget deficit and 56% disapprove of his handling of the economy. These views have changed little since the summer of 2009.

Obama Faulted on the Deficit

Even some groups that have generally positive opinions about Obama, such as young people, are critical of his handling of the federal budget deficit. Overall, more than half of those younger than 30 (54%) approve of Obama’s overall job performance – the highest percentage in any age group.

But nearly twice as many young people disapprove as approve of his handling of the federal budget deficit (57% to 29%). On this issue, the views of young people are similar to those in older age groups.

Nearly two-thirds of independents (65%) disapprove of Obama’s handling of the deficit, while just 26% approve. Even independents who lean to the Democratic Party give Obama only a mixed rating on this issue (48% approve, 43% disapprove).

How Should Obama Deal with Congress?

The public is divided over how President Obama should deal with Republicans in Congress. About as many say Obama should go along with Republicans more often (29%) as say he should challenge Republicans more often (27%); 34% say he is handling things about right.

While mixed, opinion is far more favorable toward Obama than it was toward George W. Bush following the 2006 midterms. In March 2007, just 18% said Bush should challenge congressional Democrats more often – far more (43%) said he should go along with Democrats more often; about a quarter (27%) said he was handling things about right. The public’s views of Obama’s approach to Congress today is similar to opinions about Bill Clinton’s in the spring of 1995, following Democratic losses in the 1994 midterm election.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.